Evaluating the utility of syndromic case management for three sexually transmitted infections in women visiting hospitals in Delhi, India

Sci Rep. 2017 May 3;7(1):1465. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01422-y.

Abstract

Utility of syndromic case management (SCM) in women visiting obstetrics & gynecology department needs to be evaluated as it is subjective and imperfect. Consequently, antibiotic resistance has accelerated along with increased risk of infection to the partners. To understand the effectiveness and/or inadequacies of SCM, 11000 women were recruited and examined by clinicians for infection by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and others. Amongst these patients, 1797 (16.3%) reported vaginal discharge (VD). Other symptoms included: vaginitis (97%), cervicitis (75%), genital ulcers (60%), abnormal vaginal discharge (55%) and lower abdominal pain (48%). The patients were treated for single or co-infections using pre-packed National Aids Control Program III STI/RTI Kits. However, based on PCR diagnostics, 1453/1797 (81%) subjects were uninfected for NG/TV/CT. Amongst 344 (19%) infected patients, 257 (75%) carried infection with single pathogen (TV/NG/CT) while 87/344 (25%) were co-infected with multiple pathogens. Prevalence of TV, NG & CT was 4%, 7% and 8% respectively. Co-infection with CT + NG was highest, 51% (44/87), whereas, co-infection with CT + TV was 21% and NG + TV was 18% while co-infection with all three pathogens was 1.3%. We conclude that SCM is imprecise and successful intervention requires accurate and confirmatory diagnostic approach.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Case Management
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis
  • Chlamydia Infections / drug therapy*
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / drug effects
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / growth & development
  • Coinfection
  • Empirical Research
  • Female
  • Gardnerella vaginalis / drug effects
  • Gardnerella vaginalis / growth & development
  • Gonorrhea / diagnosis
  • Gonorrhea / drug therapy*
  • Gonorrhea / epidemiology
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / growth & development
  • Office Visits
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / diagnosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / diagnosis
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / drug therapy*
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / epidemiology
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / drug effects
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / growth & development
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / drug therapy*
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents